Control lever



Feb. 3, 1925 W. J. WHITER CONTROL LEVER Filed Jan. 11. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IJNVENTOR William d. IYhher 2615M 5 TTORNEYS F81); I W. J. WHITER I bouTRoL LEVER 2 Shoots-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 11. 1924 V I I v IIIIIII W I nvmgvmk William d. Whiter Patented Feb. 3, 1925.

WILLIAM J'. WHITER, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T JOHN L.

' CAREY, OF KALAMAZOQ, MICHIGAN.

CONTROL LEVER.

Application filed January 11, 1924. Serial No. 685,558.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILLIAM J. WVHITER,

a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Control Levers. of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in control levers.

My improvements are especially designed by me for embodiment or adaptation in brake levers for Ford automobiles so as to constitute an obstruction, particularly when the brake is set.

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved control lever for motor vehicles and the like which can be swung out of the way when the lever is in any locking or holding position.

A. further object is to provide a structure having these advantages which is very convenient to manipulate.

A still further object is to provide a structure having these advantages which is simple and economical in structure.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of construction and operation will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. I is a side elevation of a structure embodying the features of my invention, the lever being partially broken away.

Fig. II is a detail side elevation corresponding to that of Fig. I with the parts in another position.

Fig. III is a detail rear elevation, the frame member on which the lever is mounted being shown in section.

Fig. IV is a detail section on a line corresponding to line 44 of Fig. I.

Fig. V is a detail section on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. I.

Fig. VI is a detail side elevation corresponding to that. of Fig. II with the lever in set or actuated position shown in Fig. I, the lever proper being swung out of the way.

Fig. VII is a detail section on a line corresponding to line 7-7 of Fig. VI.

upon the sill. I also mount thereon a lever head 5 which is supported-on the pivot rod 6, the lower end of this head projecting below the sill and the brake rod 7 being connected to the lower end.

This lever head is provided with a pawl 8 which is pivoted at 9 to coact with the segment 4, the pawl bein held yieldingly in engagement with the segment by the coiled spring 10.

The lever 11 is mounted on the pivot bolt 12 carried by the head, the lever engaging the bolt for pivotal andlateral swinging movement, the coiled spring 13 on the bolt urging the lever normally inward. 1

The head is provided with a stop flange or lug 14 at its upper end. and a stop lug 15 on its rear edge, these being spaced so that the lever may be engaged between them, thus connecting the lever to the head so that the head is swung therewith. The lower end of the lever is preferably turned into a lug 16 which engages the rear edge of the head when the lever is swung to position permitting its engagement with the lugs 14 and 15, the advantage of. this being that the lever is pulled rearwardly until the stop engages. and may then be swung inwardly or is urged inwardly by the spring 13 operatively engaging the lever with the head. This lug also receives part of the strain on the brake setting movement of the lever.

The pawl is provided with a forwardly projecting lug 17 which is engaged by the pawl releasing member 18 when the lever 17 is in head engaging position. This releasing member is pivoted at 19 and is connected by the link 20 to the grip 21 operatively associated with the lever grip 22. The operator grasping these grips lifts upwardly on the releasing member 18 thereby disengaging the pawl and permitting the free movement of the head. The pawl, as stated, is spring actuated so that it lifts with the rack or ratchet segment 4 on the rearward movement of the head.

The structure illustrated is, as stated, especially designed by me for embodiment in brake levers of Ford automobiles. My improvements are, however adapted "for use in other relations.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment or adaptation which I find very practical. l have not attempted to illustrate or describe other adaptations which I contemplate as I believe this disclosure will enable those skilled in this art to embody my improvements as desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a ratchet segment, a pivot-ally mounted head provided with. outwardly projecting spaced lugs, a spring actuated pawl pivotally mounted on said head to coact with said ratchet segment, a lever mounted on said head for pivotal and lateral adjustment relative thereto whereby it may be engaged with said lugs and the head swung therewith or disengaged therefrom for movement independent of the head, said head being provided with a pivot bolt for said lever, the lever being laterally movable on said bolt, a spring on said bolt v urging said lever normally inward, a pawl releasing member pivotally mounted on said lever to coact with said pawl when the lever is in engagement with said lugs on said head, and means for actuating said pawl releasing member comprising a hand grasp carried by said lever.

2. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of a ratchet segment, a pivotally mounted head provided with outwardly projecting spaced lugs, a spring artuated pawl pivotally mounted on said head to coact with said ratchet segment, a lever mounted on said head for pivotal and lateral adjustment relative thereto whereby it may be engaged with said lugs and the head swung therewith or disengaged therefrom for movement independent of the head. pawl ,releasing member pivotally mounted on said lever to coact with said pawl when the lever is in engagement with said lugs on said head, and means -tor actuating said pawl releasing member comprising a hand grasp carried by said lever.

3. In a structure of the class described. the combination of a ratchet segment, a piv' otally mounted head, a pawl on said head co-acting with said ratchet segment, a lever mounted on said head for pivotal and lateral adjustment relative thereto, said lever and head being provided with co-engaging parts whereby they are swung together when the lever is in one position, such parts being engaged and disengaged by a lateral movement of the lever, and a pawl releasing member mounted on said lever to coat with said pawl when the lever is in operative engagement with said head.

4. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a ratchet segment, a head member provided with a pawl coacting with said segment, a lever, and means whereby said lever maybe engaged with said head member for adjustment thereof or disengaged therefrom, permitting the independ ent adjustment of the lever, said lever being provided with a pawl releasing means operative when said lever and head memher are in operative engagement.

In witness whereot, l have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM J. l VHITER. in. sl 

